MATCHING GREEN: 



A Lay Made About the Year 1883. 

 (With Apologies to Lord Macaulay.) 



Sir Henry Selwin-Ibbetson, 



An anxious face he wore, 

 As he watched the crowd that gathered 



On Matching Green once more. 

 An anxious face he wore, 



Upon the opening day, 

 For scores of horsemen had come forth, 

 From East and West and South and North, 



All eager for the fray. 



East and West and South and North, 



Have Dobson's cards gone out. 

 And Harlow, Chelmsford, Ongar, 



Have noised the meets about. 

 Shame on the lazy sportsman 



Who lingers in his bed. 

 When the Essex huntsman and his hounds 



To Matching Green have sped. 



Now grooms and second horsemen, 



Are pouring in amain. 

 From many a distant parish 



Up many a muddy lane. 



